Highlights
Nigerian military crackdown on Boko Haram militant group in the north- eastern region has left the terrorists with no option but to relocate to some other place.
Nigeria’s military has increased pressure the militant group especially in its north-eastern heartland. The military are working under a tight time schedule of bringing Boko Haram militant group to their knees in three months, as per the ultimatum given by Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari.
There have been marked operations on the militants in Lagos with the authorities netting 12 members of the Islamist militant group the southern city since July.
Why Boko Haram eyes the south
One of the valid reasons why Boko Haram could be relocating their operational bases to the south is the intense pressure on the militant group in its north-eastern heartland. The militants have suffered significant losses staged by Nigeria’s military with the backing of a regional task force comprising Nigeria, Cameroon, and Benin and Niger troops. In the operations, the group has been cut from their resources and has also lost a significant number of their fighters.
The militants are also encroaching the South to infiltrate the predominantly Christian population. This could be a strategic tactic to kill as many Christians as possible in their target attacks. Traditionally, Nigeria’s southern region has majority Christians while the north is majority Muslims.
Lagos is Africa’s second fastest growing city. It is the commercial capital of Nigeria. If the militants get access to Lagos and control the resources, they foresee smooth operations. In the north, they have been cut from these resources, rendering their operations difficult.
Analysis and forecast
Nigeria has made significant gains against Boko Haram militants. In fact, intelligence foresees a failed militant group. However, they continue to stage some serious attacks in the north-eastern region. The recent attacks saw to the deaths of more than 50 people in an attack in Borno State on Friday, about 100km (62 miles) north of the state capital Maiduguri.
Nigeria’s authorities should be able to trace Boko Haram’s ambitious movement and curb them from all possible angles. The dying horse attacks in north-east Nigeria could be a measure to distract the military operations, as the militants secretly establish operational bases in the south.
